83341 Fashion, Gender and Identity

6cp; lecture and studio practice
Requisite(s): 83119 Thinking Fashion AND 83120 Fashion Technology: Flat Pattern and Construction AND 83121 Fashion Communication: An Introduction AND 83231 Fashion Design Methods AND 83232 Fashion Technology: Pattern Making and Construction AND 83233 Fashion Communication: Fashion Drawing and Digital Media
Undergraduate
Subject coordinator: Alison Gwilt

This subject explores the social and political representations of gender in fashion and textile design. Theoretical studies underpin studio practice and analyse the significance of subcultures, clothing and notions of the body. In fashion design studio, practice research-based projects are translated into fashion design outcomes.

The subject covers the following topic areas: the language of clothes – semiotics of fashion; further issues of 'difference', for instance, cultural, disability, age, class structures, etc.; the status of fashion – haute couture to mass market; and 'thinking outside the square' – challenging design practice through project work.

Texts and references

Required texts are published within the subject supplementary documents.

The following readings are recommended.

Ardener, S, Defining Females: The Nature of Society, Berg Publications, 1992

Barnes, R, Dress And Gender: Making and Meaning, Berg Publications, 1992

Bell, Q, On Human Finery, Hogarth Press, 1976

Brush Kidwell, C, Steele, V, Men And Women: Dressing the Part, Washington, 1989

Farrer, P, In Female Disguise, Karn, 1992

Flugel, J C, The Psychology of Clothes, Hogarth Press, 1966

Fussell, P, Uniforms, Houghton Mifflin Co, 2002

Garber, M, Vested Interests: Cross Dressing and Cultural Anxiety, Routledge, 1992

Glynn, P, Skin to Skin: Eroticism in Dress, Oxford University Press, 1982

Konig, R, The Restless Image: A Sociology of Fashion, Allen & Unwin, 1978

Laver, J, Modesty in Dress, Heinemann, 1969

Lurie, A, The Language of Clothes, 2nd edn, Heinemann, 2000

Martin, R, Fashion and Surrealism, Thames & Hudson, 1989

McDowell, C, Dressed to Kill: Sex, Power and Clothes, Hutchinson, 1992

Moers, E, The Dandy: Brummel to Beerbrohm, University of Nebraska, 1978

Mort, F, Boys Own: Masculinity, Style and Popular Culture, Batsford

Ribiero, A, Dress and Morality, Batsford, 1990

Richard, M, Jocks and Nerds – Men's Style in the Twentieth Century, 1989

Shearer, A, Woman, Her Changing Image, Thorseus, 1987

Wilson, E, Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity, Virago, 1985

The following websites are recommended.

http://www.firstview.com

http://www.levi.com

http://www.style.com

http://www.hintmag.com

http://www.confused.co.uk

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus

Fee information

2006 contribution for 2005/06 commencing Commonwealth-supported undergraduate students: $612.38
2006 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,040.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.125
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2006 for 2005/06 commencing Commonwealth-supported and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported undergraduate students should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Other students (such as postgraduate students and international students) should refer to the Fees webpage.

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.